ED DOLINAR (6168-2000) rode USS STINGRAY, and here he gives us some of the thoughts from their recent reunion.

“It was a wonderful and exciting experience, except for the fact that not all our active members were out in full force. Only 12 members made it plus the Philippine delegation plus Peter Parsons, so a total of 33 enjoyed the festivities. We had many cancellations at the last moment, reducing our numbers from the original group of 47. All in all, it was joyous, yet sad, to see a group with an average age of 80.9 years. Lethargy and complacency seem to be dominant factors with most of us. Many are set in their ways, and I believe that’s the excuse for the ‘no shows’.

The Philippine delegation surprised us with the announcement of the book ‘BOLOMEN’ as being published the 1st of December for release over the holidays. This book, I believe I mentioned to you, refers to the natives of Northern Luzon where we supplied guns and ammo and propaganda, in their resistance to the Japanese, and where STINGRAY played a very important role. This will all be written about in the book.

Peter Parsons, son of CDR. Chuck “Chip” Parsons was with us and his father organized the guerilla movement in the Philippines at the request of McArthur in the early 1940’s, and preceded McArthur into Leyte prior to the Invasion

We were advised that the construction and dedication of the Memorial at the landing site (Mayaira Point) will be dedicated in April 2003 to the BOLOMEN and the STINGRAY crew. The anchor and chain we left behind are still visible from shore, and there is a possibility that they will retrieve them and use them as a peripheral at the site.”